DIARY 113
him. 1 said he had offended against the
law, and therefore there was no hardship in
his case. He then said he had been pre-
vented from seeing the Austrian botanist
before his departure, who had come from,
and was going to, the residence of his wife
and son. I replied that person had also acted
contrary to the law, and of course could not
be permitted to see*him. Bonaparte apolo-
gized to me for speaking on these sub-
jects; he knew they were disagreeable to
me, but he had been inadvertently led to
them. I said the restrictions had been
modified to please him, and that I was
certain you had every desire to render
his situation as agreeable as circumstances
would admit. He replied he could not think
so, for before the Orontes sailed he was
1 The Austrian botanist is one Welle, who came to
St Helena under the protection of Baron Stunner.
He was guilty of the impropriety of secretly bringing
with him letters and presents for some of Napoleon's
suite. This was clearly established, though after
repeated denials on his part, and he had to leave the
island. Baron Stunner's letters are full of this man,
who gave him much trouble, and brought hhn into
difficulties not only with the English authorities but
with his own Government.
H